Even as the spin continues by both the media and nuclear energy advocates that the dangers from Fukushima are overblown, calculations done behind the scenes indicate that Fukushima and Chernobyl are actually very comparable in terms of radioactive particulate release, and in some cases, such as Cesium 137, Fukushima is already runrating as a worse catastrophe than Chernobyl. From Reuters: "The release of two types of radioactive
particles in the first 3-4 days of Japan's nuclear crisis is estimated
to have reached 20-50 percent of the amounts from Chernobyl in 10 days,
an Austrian expert said on Wednesday. Based on measurements made at monitoring
stations in Japan and the United States, Wotawa said the iodine released
from Fukushima in the first three-four days was about 20 percent of
that released from Chernobyl during a ten-day period. For Caesium-137, the figure could amount to some 50 percent." In other words, run rating the release of Cesium for a 10 day period, leaked radioactive Cesium is now about 120-150% of what it was during the full blow reactor explosion experiencing during Chernobyl. But yes, aside from the facts, watering the reactor that are certainly melting down (if haven't done so already) should surely have great benefits.

The calculations published by Austria's Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics may add to growing concern in Japan and elsewhere over the contamination of food products such as milk and vegetables in areas near the Japanese reactor site.

The Austrian institute's Dr Gerhard Wotawa stressed the two isotopes from Fukushima he had sought to estimate -- iodine-131 and caesium-137 -- normally make up only one tenth of total radiation.

Based on measurements made at monitoring stations in Japan and the United States, Wotawa said the iodine released from Fukushima in the first three-four days was about 20 percent of that released from Chernobyl during a ten-day period.

For Caesium-137, the figure could amount to some 50 percent.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday Japanese authorities had told the Vienna-based agency that radiation dose rates at the plant were decreasing, although the overall situation remained serious.

One U.N. study has estimated Chernobyl, in Ukraine, may over time cause 4,000 to 9,000 extra deaths from cancer.

And there are big differences in the handling of the crises.

"At Chernobyl, the population was not generally aware that the accident had happened," said Malcolm Crick, Secretary of the U.N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

"People in the nearby town of Pripyat were watching the fire from just a kilometre or so away. They were evacuated a day or so later," he said, adding that children kept drinking milk despite risks of contamination.

"In Japan, there was a precautionary evacuation early on," he said, adding "it's too early to make a real assessment of the overall impact."

Japanese authorities also distributed units of stable iodine which can help protect against radioactive iodine.

Unfortunately following today's news that radiation was once again surging to record highs, any temporary lull factored into models should be propmtly discarded. It also begs the question: how soon until the first indications of radiation poisoning start appearing. Somehow we are confident we will not find out until years from now when all the truth surrounding this incident is finally declassified.

The calculations published by Austria's Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics may add to growing concern in Japan and elsewhere over the contamination of food products such as milk and vegetables in areas near the Japanese reactor site.

The Austrian institute's Dr Gerhard Wotawa stressed the two isotopes from Fukushima he had sought to estimate -- iodine-131 and caesium-137 -- normally make up only one tenth of total radiation.

Based on measurements made at monitoring stations in Japan and the United States, Wotawa said the iodine released from Fukushima in the first three-four days was about 20 percent of that released from Chernobyl during a ten-day period.

For Caesium-137, the figure could amount to some 50 percent.

Seems that data is only acceptable if it comes via approved sources aka govt and or nuclear industry shills?

This incident could in effect be much worse than Chernobyl if it results in Tokyo being smother with the smoke and ashes of out of control fires at Fukushima. This is the thing that is in the forefront of everybody's mind, it is an unstated fear. With Tokyo in a state of dissaray and apart from human cost, in such an event guess how that will affect the rest of the financial world.

One thing that has been constant through all this is that official advices have all proven to be by BS.

Indeed. This is where the, ... technically-indoctrinated ... can't see past their noses.

It's not just that the radiation dose in the water is double the allowable limit for infants or children, its the form that it is coming in that will do the damage, i.e. radioactive atoms (not mere photons or sub-atomic particle radiation) on small soot and dust bits.

If it were just molecular gas it would not be a serious problem, it would clear fast, but when it's in the form of unstable atoms incorporated into larger particles of soot and dust ... well, you need a terrific water filter, and go on a crash diet... and a proper 100% sealed to skin dust mask ... and are prepared to sleep with it on.

It is precisely because the "government" - specifically who?, by the way -
is as uninformed about the details on the condition of the Fukushima
plants as the members of Tepco themselves that the government can't
put out the information required to satisfy members of the public.

There is no evidence of lying - i.e., how can you prove intent unless you
know what they know and compare it to what they disclose?

Tepco people are dealing with unknowns. The government is dealing
with the same. What is reported are facts believed to be known such as
temperature and radiation spikes, plumes of smoke, fires, etc. The
cause is debated extensively by pundits; mostly speculation albeit it
some based on well-educated guesses. Providing the public with too
much detail such as graphs of radiation emissions by-the-minute is not
as high a priority than having the limited number of staff working the
problem frantically in difficult circumstances.

You could just as easily accuse the government or Tepco of lying if they
stated info based on poor evidence or speculation, so for the most part
they stick to what they can determine. Mind you, I'm not saying that
the government will not or hasn't filtered information to achieve a
worthwhile goal such as orderly evacuation. That would be lying, of
course. Similarly, imprecise wording, omissions and misunderstandings
abound in situations like these.

As for the debate on the Twin Towers, those who believe the buildings
were wired haven't thought about what really is required to achieve
a demolition on such a scale. The work and materials required to do
that could simply not be hidden from the public or occupants of the
building. Survivors or evacuees haven't made any claims of suspicious
work undertaken before the event.